Strippers Vs Werewolves: Big Joe Egan speaks!

When The Hollywood News steps onto the STRIPPERS VS WEREWOLVES set, the first thing to notice is an abundance of both – strippers and werewolves, that is – which is wholly appropriate considering. They are, of course, actors in full costume, and though THN is keen to get some time with the suitably saucy strippers (including our very own Coralie Rose), our first encounter is with former boxer, and now supporting-character actor Joe Egan. With his large frame, thick Dublin accent, and full werewolf make-up, Egan makes for a surreal interview first thing in the morning. This is, after all, the man whom Mike Tyson described as ‘the toughest white man on the planet’, and with his claws, fangs, and hairy chops, it’s safe to say that Big Joe Egan has never looked scarier.

But Egan is what one might call ‘a big softie’ – an overtly friendly chap, with an obvious wonderment and enthusiasm for the movie business. At one point he is even seen excitedly taking snaps of himself in his werewolf guise (an act for which he has his paws quickly smacked by director Jonathan Glendening).

‘It’s the first time I’ve done this’ says Egan of his make-up. ‘I had some scars, boils and warts put on for SHERLOCK HOLMES, but I’ve never done anything like this before. The transformation is amazing. Two of the werewolves I worked with yesterday, I’d only met them in full make-up, and today they came in and I didn’t even recognise them.’

The aforementioned SHERLOCK HOLMES marks Egan’s biggest production to date. He is also set to reprise his role in the upcoming sequel. Being involved with such a big-scale project undoubtedly has its advantages, and his experiences on Guy Ritchie’s SHERLOCK HOLMES have put Egan in good stead for his blossoming acting career.

‘They were massive films,’ says Egan. ‘Nothing now is going to faze me after working on them. I’ve only had small parts so far, but they’re getting bigger, and I’m getting more confidence and recognition.’

It’s been only two and half years since Egan embarked on his acting career, though he confesses to have always been a great lover of the movies. His break came after another ex-boxer, Tamer Hassan (KICK ASS), encouraged him to enter acting, and he soon found himself co-starring in CASS (2008) Although Egan is clearly proud of his boxing past – and modestly tells us that neither Lennox Lewis or Tyson put him down during their sparring days – he now revels in his new found profession.

‘I’m a massive film fan’ Egan tells THN. ‘When I was boxing I’d go to the movies two or three times a week to take my mind off a fight that was coming up – it’s a great escapism. I love westerns most.’

But at present, we are a fair distance from the nearest dusty saloon and gun totting bandidos. Today we are in a strip bar – the very place that Egan and his lycanthrope comrades are set to attack in STRIPPERS VS WEREWOLVES – and THN is privileged enough to witness some action between the two groups, some of which involves Big Joe himself (and some excellent profanity from the lovely Ms Rose). But Egan is no stranger to werewolf action, and cites AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON (1981) as one of his horror favourites. But the werewolves currently roaming the strip club are a different breed entirely to the kind the horror genre has popularised. They are sentient beings, well aware of their despicable behaviour and quite happy to remain this way. But, as producer Jonathan Sothcott has already told THN, this isn’t a standard horror; in fact, STRIPPERS VS WEREWOLVES is far more of a comedy than anything else, and Joe Egan has brought that aspect to his performance. ‘My character’s a bit bizarre and clumsy, so it’s not all viciousness,’ he says. ‘This is a challenging role – it’s a bit nerve-wracking and very physical, but hopefully I’ll rise to the occasion.’

Egan’s very keen on the whole to do his best possible work on STRIPPERS VS WEREWOLVES as he has an obvious connection with the production studio responsible, Black and Blue Films. He’s worked with the producers before – Sothcott, Simon Phillips, and Billy Murray – and considers them ‘a pleasure to work with’. In fact, there’s a noticeable camaraderie on set, and though the independent company is a minimalist set-up, Egan thinks that may well be the key to their success so far (including bagging a number of awards for their zombie flick, DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND in 2010).

‘You can have a small crew of good people or a big crew of not so good people,’ says Egan. ‘This way it’s a more personal touch. You can make sure everything is done perfectly… and the way we get looked after is second to none.’ Which must be nice after having you head pounded, erm… black and blue by Mike Tyson for several years.

But that is in the past, and Big Joe Egan’s is looking toward his future in the film industry. ‘I’d love to be the villain in a Bond film,’ Egan tells us with a broad, fanged grin. ‘I’ve never fantasized about being Bond – I always wanted to be the baddie. You’ve got Odd Job, Jaws, and now Big Joe.’ But for now, it’s all about werewolves. And strippers, of course.

STRIPPERS VS WEREWOLVES is directed by Jonathan Glendening, and also stars Billy Murray, Robert Englund, Coralie Rose, Adele Silva, and Barbara Nedeljakova. It arrives in cinemas later this year.